THE parents of Rachel Whitear have given evidence during the first day of the second inquest into their daughter's death.

Coroner for Torbay and South Devon, Ian Arrow, read out statements from both parents during the first day's sitting at County Hall, Exeter.

Both accounts, plus a further statement from Rachel's closest friend at Aylestone School, have shed new light on the youngster's drug habits.

The inquest heard in Mrs Holcroft's statement that both parents were in Exmouth on 10 May, 2000, the day of Rachel's death. It was also revealed that Rachel overdosed at their Ledbury home four months before the fateful day. Both the Holcrofts believed she started taking the drug in autumn, 1997.

"In late November 1997 Rachel finished with her boyfriend, Luke Fitzgerald, but didn't tell us the reason.

"But she became friends with another boy called Ross, and must have confided in his father," the statement continued.

"He told us 'there is something you should know about your daughter', and he told us she was using heroin".

In another statement read out by the coroner, this time from close friend Polly North, the hearing heard both girls started taking speed and cannabis aged 14 and while attending Aylestone Hill School. Miss North's statement also alleged that Rachel's boyfriend, Luke Fitzgerald, had introduced her to heroin.

"She started taking cannabis at 14 and also acid, we would do them together," the inquest was told.

"She would often go into the Entertainer (a Hereford pub) and take them, mixing them with alcohol. She wanted to be known as a heavyweight user.

"At 17 Rachel hitched up with Luke, and he introduced her to heroin. She once compared their relationship as a triangle - Luke, her and heroin."

The statement also reported that Rachel had started smoking the drug, but started injecting months before her death. The second inquest in Exeter is expected to last four days.